Albertsons looks to streamline buying process with RangeMe partnership

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons is taking steps to help its buyers add new products to store shelves.

 

By adopting an online platform from RangeMe, buyers will gain an efficient way to discover innovative new products and manage the inbound product submission process. The solution supports buyers’ and suppliers’ efforts in finding relevant and trending products for customers, who then benefit from a broader selection of items to choose from in the aisle, the chain said.

 

"RangeMe makes it easy for suppliers to show us their products and company capabilities so our national sales managers can ensure a good fit for our customers and company before moving forward,” said Pat Dennis, group VP, general merchandising/health and beauty care merchandising.

 

Albertsons will use the solution to scale its retail buying efforts in its general merchandise and health and beauty categories throughout all of its 19 banners. The grocery chain is not the first this year to partner with RangeMe. In January, Ahold USA decided to partner with the company to streamline product discovery and increase supplier diversity. 

 

"This new technology directly benefits our customers and employees alike," said Mark Panzer, Albertsons  SVP of pharmacy health and wellness. "By implementing the platform, our teams can quickly locate and stock shelves with products that our customers want, like organic health and beauty products or local items or brands. It saves us time and money, which is passed on to our shoppers.”

 

(Drug Store News recently spoke to Panzer for its monthly series The Takeaway. To read about Panzer’s career, the best advice he’s received, what he would tell a younger version of himself, what his passions are and more, click here.)